Relationship of Serum Leptin, BMI, Waist Circumference and Cholesterol Level among Teenagers in the Gaza Strip

Leptin is one of the best known hormone markers for obesity. There is a limited anthropometric data in the Gaza Strip that reveals and arouses the nutritional status among all age groups especially adolescents aged 15 - 19 years old. The study aimed to assess the effect of Leptin hormone, lipid profiles, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference among secondary school age students in the Gaza Strip. Methodology: A cross sectional study included 442 cases of teenagers aged 15 - 19 years old from governmental and private schools in the Gaza strip. Blood samples were collected for analysis of Leptin hormone and lipid profile and measuring waist circumference for the teenager. Results: The mean of serum Leptin was (28.7) higher among cases than controls (28.1), but it was statistically insignificant (P = 0.85). It was found that there is a significant correlation between Leptin hormone and total cholesterol (Chol) (r = 0.24), high density cholesterol (HDL) (r = 0.27) and low density cholesterol (LDL) (r = 0.16). There was no relationship between Leptin hormone and triglycerides (TG) (r = -0.02). There was relationship between Leptin hormone and waist circumference in both males and females (r = 0.519, 0.544), respectively. There was no statistical significant deference noticed between Leptin hormone of obese objects and Leptin hormone of normal BMI objects of the same age (t-test = 0.93, P = 0.85). Conclusion: There are significant correlations between Leptin hormone and total Chol, HDL and LDL except for TG, and there were significant relationships between Leptin hormone and waist circumference which reflect the central obesity among males and females. There is no association between Leptin level and BMI.